The Playfair Hours: A Late Fifteenth Century Illuminated Manuscript from Rouen (V&A, L. 475-1918)

London: Victoria and Albert Museum/Folio Society, 1984. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine. 9" by 6.5". Not Stated. A first edition copy of this study into the fascinating 15th-century book of hours, The Playfair Hours, with a slipcase. The first edition of this work in the publisher's original cloth binding, with a cloth slipcase. Books of hours are Christian prayer books, used by the laity for private devotion. They first appeared in 13th century Western Europe. The name 'book of hours' comes from their content: these volumes primarily comprised of the Little Hours of the Virgin, which were hymns and chants praising the Virgin Mary, divided into eight 'hours' from morning to evening. The Playfair Hours were written and illuminated in Rouen in Normandy. In this work, Rowan Watson explores the background, history, structure, text, and illuminations of The Playfair Hours. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with a cloth slipcase. Externally, cloth is in excellent condition, with just a small loss of gilt to the last letter to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean. Slipcase is fairly smart, except for a faint stain to the rear board and a couple of loose threads to the front board. Near Fine